"I
quote others to better express myself." - Michel de Montaigne
So begins the
Scholastic Treasury of Quotations for Children. This work presents
an ambitious goal to "create a balanced collection that includes
quotations that state a clear and direct message; presents a variety
of opinions and viewpoints within each topic; reflects the knowledge
and experiences of experts…that reflect the wisdom of diverse
cultures and experiences." Betz has achieved this goal with a
combination of content and format that will appeal to children in
the fourth through seventh grades. It is an interesting and valuable
addition to the elementary or middle school library.
The most commonly
known books of quotations are written for adults. While these works
may be interesting to the young reader, the supplementary information
provided in the Scholastic Treasury of Quotations for Children
provides a deeper opportunity for learning. The thorough introduction
includes a history of collections of quotations, tips for using quotations
in writing and speech, an overview of the use of the book, and information
on the sources of the quotations included.
The quotations
are listed by topic, unlike other collections that are listed chronologically
or by author. This systematic method of organization allows a child
to compare different views on the same subject and to find a phrase
that speaks to his/her own situation. Interspersed with the sections
are more in-depth treatments of particular ideas or people, set apart
from the lists in shaded boxes. For example, one such entry presents
the "Golden Rule" through quotations from major figures
in philosophy and religion. Others present Thomas Jefferson's words
on government and excerpts from Rachel Carson's books on nature and
the environment.
A biographical
index follows the topical lists of quotations. This index occupies
approximately a third of the book. Each entry provides the lifespan
of the individual, a short description of his/her accomplishments,
and the topics on which he/she is quoted. Entries are cross-referenced
to reflect spelling variations and pseudonyms. This structure allows
users to find quotations from a particular person with ease.
The topic areas
are those that children are likely to encounter in their schoolwork
and everyday life. They range from sports to music to human nature
to prejudice. Betz has included an array of ideas and viewpoints within
each topic, with most sections containing 10-12 entries. The shortest
section, on exceptions, contains only one quotation. The segment on
war includes 19 quotations and a supplemental entry explaining some
famous war slogans. This topic contains "The battle, sir, is
not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, and the
brave." (Patrick Henry), as well as "War is not just a victory
or loss….People die." (Maya Lin). This diversity of opinion
is typical throughout the book.
Quotations are
included from contemporary and historical figures in politics, sports,
the arts, business, the media, education, philosophy and science,
among others. In addition, there are selections from organizations
(Alcoholics Anonymous and the American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals) and fictional characters (Mother Goose, Miss
Piggy and Popeye). With only 1200 entries, this work does not present
the volume of quotations that the standard references include. This
does not detract from its usefulness to the audience for which it
is intended.
Children will
enjoy the quotations in this work. Most are simple and direct. Betz
has included some more ambiguous selections along with explanations
of their meanings. The introduction, however, was written at a level
beyond that of the average 12-year-old. Children will need adult assistance
to use this resource most successfully.
The quotations
selected for the book represent diverse cultures, but some receive
more thorough coverage than others. A tally of the biographical index
reveals that more than half of the individuals included are white
North American or British citizens; another fifth are European, including
the usual Greek and Roman scholars and philosophers. The remaining
entries represent persons of color from the U.S., and people from
Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Australia. The collection
includes proverbs from many countries, increasing the number of under-represented
cultures.
Women make up
just under a quarter of the individuals selected. Betz attempts to
make up for this inequity by profiling women in several sections.
These profiles include Sojourner Truth, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Elizabeth
Barrett Browning. Quotations from women are found in every topic,
giving the impression that women are well-represented.
Selections are
included from the major figures and important works of several religious
traditions. The Bible is the most frequently cited source. Muhammed,
Lao-Tse and Buddha are also included, and the biographical selections
on these people provide an introduction to the faiths that they represent.
As a former
children's librarian, Betz has a clear understanding of the need for
diverse role models for children. The intention of creating a collection
with diversity is clear, and she made an effort to overcome the scarcity
of material in traditional sources. She cites The Whole World Book
of Quotations, The New Quotable Woman, The Encyclopedia
of Religion and My Soul Looks Back, 'Less I Forget:
A Collection of Quotations by People of Color' as sources of material
for this book. In addition, material in this book was verified using
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, The Oxford Dictionary of
Quotations, and several other reputable sources.
"What is
well said by another is mine." (Lucius Annaeus Seneca). In spite
of the intention to educate young people on the use of others' ideas,
there is no mention of the need to attribute those ideas to the originator.
This would have been a natural venue to introduce the concept of plagiarism,
since these snippets are so clearly the words of others. Betz misses
an opportunity to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate
use of the material in the book. It will fall to the teacher or librarian
to broach this topic.
Scholastic is
known for its focus on books for children, and the company also publishes
dictionaries, encyclopedias and atlases for this audience. The
Scholastic Treasury of Quotations for Children is targeted to
children nine to 12 years of age. The quotations have a timeless quality
that will remain current for many years. It is a sturdy book that
will withstand regular use. This book is well worth the $16.95 price
as an easily accessible introduction to important thinkers from a
wide range of cultures and time periods. Every child will be able
to find a voice in this collection.
